Remote

The Skeptic magazine

@TheSkeptic@mas.to

mastodon 4.7.2

Expert skeptical analysis in the UK of pseudoscience, conspiracy theory and claims of the paranormal, since 1987.

Reason with compassion.

838 Followers

40 Following

35 Posts

Joined November 24, 2022

Website:

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/

Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/theskeptic

Pitch an article:

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/about/write-for-us/

Write to the editor:

editor@skeptic.org.uk

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 3w ago

The network pushing extremism at the University of Cambridge – and why it should matter to skeptics | Michael Marshall https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/09/the-network-pushing-extremism-at-the-university-of-cambridge-and-why-it-should-matter-to-skeptics/

The Skeptic

The network pushing extremism at the University of Cambridge – and why it should matter to skeptics - The Skeptic

Skeptics should be wary of the network undermining academic freedom and credibility, at prestigious Cambridge University and across our media

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 3mo ago

Mike Hall | Adult movies were not the reason Betamax really lost the video wars https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/adult-movies-were-not-the-reason-betamax-really-lost-the-video-wars/

The Skeptic

Adult movies were not the reason Betamax really lost the video wars - The Skeptic

According to a popular myth, Betamax lost out to VHS because of adult content - in reality, it was down to tape length, and licensing.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

We can ban under 16s from social media, but children are not the most at risk from radicalisation | Michael Marshall While the UK has moved to limit the harms of social media by restricting access for children, Facebook and Twitter continue to radicalise people of all ages. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/we-can-ban-under-16s-from-social-media-but-children-are-not-the-most-at-risk-from-radicalisation/

The Skeptic

We can ban under 16s from social media, but children are not the most at risk from radicalisation - The Skeptic

While the UK has moved to restrict access to social media for children, Facebook and Twitter continue to radicalise people of all ages.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

From growing basil to curing disease, pseuodscientists find support in the Qu’ran | Stefano Bigliardi While pseudoscience is not unique to Islam - nor more pervasive within the religion - it is important to challenge where the Qur’an is used to support clearly pseudoscientific ideas. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/from-growing-basil-to-curing-disease-pseuodscientists-find-support-in-the-quran/

The Skeptic

From growing basil to curing disease, pseudoscientists find support in the Qur'an - The Skeptic

While pseudoscience is not unique to Islam, it is important to challenge where the Qur’an is used to support clearly pseudoscientific ideas.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

Extraordinary claims, modest evidence: reincarnation, and the limits of parapsychology | Gabriel Andrade Ian Stevenson set out to scientifically investigate reports of reincarnation - while he failed to find any credible cases, his efforts warrant respect. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/extraordinary-claims-modest-evidence-reincarnation-and-the-limits-of-parapsychology/

The Skeptic

Extraordinary claims, modest evidence: reincarnation, and the limits of parapsychology - The Skeptic

Ian Stevenson set out to scientifically investigate reincarnation - while he failed to find any credible cases, his efforts warrant respect.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

From the archives: Cold fusion heats up | Chris Tinsley https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/08/from-the-archives-cold-fusion-heats-up/

The Skeptic

From the archives: Cold fusion heats up - The Skeptic

From the archives of May 1993, Chris Tinsley urges caution in writing off cold fusion experiments, before they had been proven to be a hoax.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 3mo ago

The Kidd-Palmer Maps conclusively proven to be a hoax lifted directly from fiction | Oliver Smith https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/the-kidd-palmer-maps-conclusively-proven-to-be-a-hoax-lifted-directly-from-fiction/

The Skeptic

The Kidd-Palmer Maps conclusively proven to be a hoax lifted directly from fiction - The Skeptic

Almost a century after their discovery, the mysterious Kidd-Palmer treasure maps are proven to be a hoax, their source in fiction identified.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

The seemingly impossible task of getting access to the Ariel UFOs ‘Impossible Archive’ | Gideon Reid After John Mack died, his archive of interviews concerning the Ariel UFO encounter was meant to be made available to the public - two decades later, we are still waiting. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/the-seemingly-impossible-task-of-getting-access-to-the-ariel-ufos-impossible-archive/

The Skeptic

The seemingly impossible task of getting access to Ariel School's 'Impossible Archive' - The Skeptic

After John Mack died, his Ariel UFO encounter archive was meant to be made available to the public - two decades later, we are still waiting.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 075 Featuring articles from Andy Owens (September 2022), Robyn Lowe (February 2022), Gabriel Andrade (August 2025), and Mike Hall (March 2025). https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/the-skeptic-podcast-episode-075/

The Skeptic

The Skeptic Podcast - Episode 075 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Andy Owens (September 2022), Robyn Lowe (February 2022), Gabriel Andrade (August 2025), and Mike Hall (March 2025).

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 3mo ago

Good skin, good girl: the subtle misogyny of the ‘no make-up’ look | Megan Tan Shu En The 'no make-up' trend isn't just about looking good, but to do so effortlessly – playing into society's expectation that women ensure they're never 'too much'. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/good-skin-good-girl-the-subtle-misogyny-of-the-no-make-up-look/

The Skeptic

Good skin, good girl: the subtle misogyny of the ‘no make-up’ look - The Skeptic

The 'no make-up' trend isn't just to look good, but to do so effortlessly - adhering to expectations that women are never "too much".

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

Richard Dawkins and AI: the lights are on, but nobody's home | Mike Hall

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/richard-dawkins-and-ai-the-lights-are-on-but-nobodys-home/

The Skeptic

Richard Dawkins and AI: the lights are on, but nobody's home - The Skeptic

When Richard Dawkins claims AI may have consciousness, he's committing the same cognitive blunder as the creationists he has long argued against.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 074 Featuring articles from Aaron Rabinowitz (August 2022), Michael Marshall (April 2025), Armadeo Sarma (November 2022), and Edzard Ernst (March 2023). https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/the-skeptic-podcast-episode-074/

The Skeptic

The Skeptic Podcast - Episode 074 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Aaron Rabinowitz (August 2022), Michael Marshall (April 2025), Armadeo Sarma (November 2022), and Edzard Ernst (March 2023).

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 2mo ago

The UK bans social media for under 16 - but the children are not the ones most at risk from radicalisation | Michael Marshall https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/we-can-ban-under-16s-from-social-media-but-children-are-not-the-most-at-risk-from-radicalisation/

The Skeptic

We can ban under 16s from social media, but children are not the most at risk from radicalisation - The Skeptic

While the UK has moved to restrict access to social media for children, Facebook and Twitter continue to radicalise people of all ages.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 3mo ago

Faith, Power, and Inconsistency: The Problem with J.D. Vance’s Conversion Narrative In "Communion", JD Vance seeks to explain his shift from atheism to Catholicism, but illustrates only the dangers of putting religion at the heart of politics. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/faith-power-and-inconsistency-the-problem-with-j-d-vances-conversion-narrative/ #Politics #Religion

The Skeptic

Faith, Power, and Inconsistency: The Problem with J.D. Vance’s Conversion Narrative - The Skeptic

In "Communion", JD Vance seeks to explain his Catholicism, but illustrates only the dangers of putting religion at the heart of politics.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

Learning about science and statistics through pseudoscience

Evaluating claims of ESP and other psi abilities can provide the perfect opportunity to grapple with some counterintuitive, but incredibly important, maths.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/learning-about-science-and-statistics-through-pseudoscience/

#Parapsychology #Science

The Skeptic

Learning about science and statistics through pseudoscience - The Skeptic

Evaluating claims of psi abilities can provide the perfect opportunity to grapple with some counterintuitive, but incredibly important, maths

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 3mo ago

The importance of teaching creativity and innovation in African Schools How can students be expected to innovate and create in their future jobs if they are not taught at school how to think creatively? https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/06/the-importance-of-teaching-creativity-and-innovation-in-african-schools/ #Society

The Skeptic

The importance of teaching creativity and innovation in African Schools - The Skeptic

How can students be expected to innovate and create in their future jobs if they are not taught at school how to think creatively?

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

Gen Z don't really think they're psychic – at least no more so than their elders | Michael Marshall

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/gen-z-dont-really-think-theyre-psychic-at-least-no-more-so-than-their-elders/

The Skeptic

Gen Z don't really think they're psychic – at least no more so than their elders - The Skeptic

New "research" suggests that a third of Gen Z believe they have psychic intuition – based on an online survey with deep methodological flaws.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

The ‘Quiet Revival’ in British religiosity was only ever a statistical mirage

The much-heralded 'Quiet Revival' report on British youth religiosity has been withdrawn after its data was found to be fraudulent.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/the-quiet-revival-in-british-religiosity-was-only-ever-a-statistical-mirage/

#BadPR #Religion

The Skeptic

The 'Quiet Revival' in British religiosity was only ever a statistical mirage - The Skeptic

The much-heralded 'Quiet Revival' report on British youth church attendance has been withdrawn after its data was found to be fraudulent.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

The 'Quiet Revival' in British religiosity was only ever a statistical mirage | Michael Marshall

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/the-quiet-revival-in-british-religiosity-was-only-ever-a-statistical-mirage/

The Skeptic

The 'Quiet Revival' in British religiosity was only ever a statistical mirage - The Skeptic

The much-heralded 'Quiet Revival' report on British youth church attendance has been withdrawn after its data was found to be fraudulent.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

Michael Marshall | Who’s afraid for Naomi Wolf? The fall of a feminist icon into a conspiracist rabbithole

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/whos-afraid-for-naomi-wolf-the-fall-of-a-feminist-icon-into-a-conspiracist-rabbithole/

The Skeptic

Who's afraid for Naomi Wolf? The fall of a feminist icon into a conspiracist rabbithole - The Skeptic

Naomi Wolf has fallen from feminist icon and public intellectual, to conspiracy theorist talking head of the right-wing media ecosystem.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

Richard Glover | In the era of AI, cognitive biases are not exclusive to humans

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/in-the-era-of-ai-cognitive-biases-are-not-exclusive-to-humans/

The Skeptic

In the era of AI, cognitive biases are not exclusive to humans - The Skeptic

Far from being capable of objective judgements, AI replicates the biases and prejudices of the very human data it's trained on.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 3mo ago

From the archives: Spirit guides and after-images – seeing is not necessarily believing From the archives of May 1993, Colin Sutherland noticeably fails to see a spirit guide at a hypnosis demonstration - but does see an after-image. https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/from-the-archives-spirit-guides-and-after-images-seeing-is-not-necessarily-believing/ #Archive

The Skeptic

From the archives: Spirit guides and after-images - seeing is not necessarily believing - The Skeptic

From the archives of May 1993, Colin Sutherland fails to see a spirit guide at a hypnosis demonstration - but does see an after-image.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

For all the claims of governments and Big Tech, cybersecurity is far from scientific

Rather than accept at face value claims that cybersecurity measures will make us safer and more secure, we need to ask for proof before we hand over our data.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/04/for-all-the-claims-of-governments-and-big-tech-cybersecurity-is-far-from-scientific/

#Technology

The Skeptic

For all the claims of governments and Big Tech, cybersecurity is far from scientific - The Skeptic

Rather than accept that cybersecurity measures will make us safer and more secure, we need to ask for proof before we hand over our data.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

The rise in chronic disease doesn’t necessarily mean we are getting sicker

Robert F. Kennedy Jr is right to say chronic disease is on the rise – but it's due to a population that's living longer and less likely to die from disease.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/04/the-rise-in-chronic-disease-doesnt-necessarily-mean-we-are-getting-sicker/

#Health

The Skeptic

The rise in chronic disease doesn't necessarily mean we are getting sicker - The Skeptic

RFK Jr is right to say chronic disease is on the rise – but it's because people are living longer and are less likely to die from disease.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 065

Featuring articles from Aaron Rabinowitz (June 2021), Robyn Lowe (March 2023), and Matt Mills (May 2021).

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/the-skeptic-podcast-episode-065/

The Skeptic

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 065 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Aaron Rabinowitz (June 2021), Robyn Lowe (March 2023), and Matt Mills (May 2021).

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

Jim Cliff | Smoke and mirrors: violent media, cigarettes, and shaky statistics

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/smoke-and-mirrors-violent-media-cigarettes-and-shaky-statistics/

The Skeptic

Smoke and mirrors: violent media, cigarettes, and shaky statistics - The Skeptic

Is violent media as closely linked to aggression as smoking is to lung cancer? Only if you take at face value heavily cherry-picked research.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

Richard Dawkins and AI: the lights are on, but nobody’s home

When Richard Dawkins claims AI may have consciousness, he's committing the same cognitive blunder as the creationists he has long argued against.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/richard-dawkins-and-ai-the-lights-are-on-but-nobodys-home/

#Technology

The Skeptic

Richard Dawkins and AI: the lights are on, but nobody's home - The Skeptic

When Richard Dawkins claims AI may have consciousness, he's committing the same cognitive blunder as the creationists he has long argued against.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

How a very wrong Royal horoscope put astrology on the map in Britain

Astrology really found its foothold in Britain in 1930, when the Sunday Express began to publish astrological predictions for the new-born Princess Margaret.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/?p=54392

#Astrology

The Skeptic

How a very wrong Royal horoscope put astrology on the map in Britain - The Skeptic

Astrology really found its foothold in Britain in 1930, when the Sunday Express published a star chart for the new-born Princess Margaret.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

Remembering Nick Pope, “the UK’s top UFO expert” (1965-2026)

Nick Pope was the former civil servant who became one of the most prominent figures in ufology on both sides of the pond.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/04/remembering-nick-pope-the-uks-top-ufo-expert-1965-2026/

#UFOs

The Skeptic

Remembering Nick Pope, “the UK’s top UFO expert” (1965-2026) - The Skeptic

Nick Pope was the former civil servant who became one of the most prominent figures in ufology on both sides of the pond.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

Chris French | Remembering Nick Pope, “the UK’s top UFO expert” (1965-2026)

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/04/remembering-nick-pope-the-uks-top-ufo-expert-1965-2026/

The Skeptic

Remembering Nick Pope, “the UK’s top UFO expert” (1965-2026) - The Skeptic

Nick Pope was the former civil servant who became one of the most prominent figures in ufology on both sides of the pond.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 5mo ago

From the archives: Quackupuncture – A question of medical ethics

From the archive in 1992, HB Gibson looks at the rise and fall - and rise again - of medical acupuncture in Western society.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/04/from-the-archives-quackupuncture-a-question-of-medical-ethics/

#Acupuncture #Archive

The Skeptic

From the archives: Quackupuncture - A question of medical ethics - The Skeptic

From the archive in 1992, HB Gibson looks at the rise and fall - and rise again - of medical acupuncture in Western society.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 066

Featuring articles from Sarah Hearne (June 2021), Dave Hahn (October 2022), and Aaron Rabinowitz (June 2022).

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/the-skeptic-podcast-episode-066/

The Skeptic

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 066 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Sarah Hearne (June 2021), Dave Hahn (October 2022), and Aaron Rabinowitz (June 2022).

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

Wendy M. Grossman | From the archives: The power of the publisher

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/from-the-archives-the-power-of-the-publisher/

The Skeptic

From the archives: The power of the publisher - The Skeptic

From the archives in 1993, Wendy Grossman on the responsibility of publishers whose stable of content spans from scientific to preposterous.

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 066

Featuring articles from Sarah Hearne (June 2021), Dave Hahn (October 2022), and Aaron Rabinowitz (June 2022).

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/the-skeptic-podcast-episode-066/

#Podcast

The Skeptic

The Skeptic Podcast – Episode 066 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Sarah Hearne (June 2021), Dave Hahn (October 2022), and Aaron Rabinowitz (June 2022).

The Skeptic magazine @TheSkeptic@mas.to

· 4mo ago

From the archives: A healthy dose of sarsaparilla – snake oil for the nineties

From the archives in 1993, Jerome Cosyn compares the flagrant snake oil of old with our enlightened times, and asks how much has really changed.

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/05/from-the-archives-a-healthy-dose-of-sarsaparilla-snake-oil-for-the-nineties/

#Archive

The Skeptic

From the archives: A healthy dose of sarsaparilla - snake oil for the nineties - The Skeptic

From the archives in 1993, Jerome Cosyn compares the flagrant snake oil of old with our enlightened times, and asks how much has really changed.